I'd like some recommendations on what oil I should use and any additives for 2 vehicles. I've been using the same products for both vehicles for years. Mobil 1 Super 5000 10w - 30, Engine Restore, Fram Oil filter, recently added a little seafoam before last oil change. Thanks.

This truck uses about 1 quart of oil between changes. There are no external leaks (no drip spots) and no excessive smoking. If I don't crank the truck for a week or so and then fire up it will smoke a little for about 10 - 15 seconds. I only recently thought I might benefit from swapping to high mileage oil but wanted to check here first.

Vehicle #2 2004 Ford Freestar Van 3.9L V692k milesDaily driver - Short trips daily but also a few long trips each year.Warm Climate

This vehicle doesn't seem to use much oil between changes. I was wondering if a high mileage oil might be good here as well.

I don't have a preference between synthetic or conventional, whichever would work best for me is what I want. I don't care if I have to order or buy in store. I usually change my oil twice a year, we don't do that much driving.

Considering both vehicles are above what is considered "high mileage" (which is [censored] to me, 75k is just getting started) I was wondering if a different oil might help stop my truck from using oil and prevent my wifes van from beginning. Also, are any additives worth using? I'm a strong believer in seafoam for fuel system (I saw first hand what it did to my ATV engine) but I wasn't sure if it actually did any good to add to oil system.

Thanks for the suggestion so promptly... Just out of curiosity, why? I understand the oil recommendation but why motorcraft over fram filter and why no seafoam in crankcase? Would anything be good in the crankcase to remove unwanted materials not disposed of by just pulling the drain plug?

Thanks for the suggestion so promptly... Just out of curiosity, why? I understand the oil recommendation but why motorcraft over fram filter and why no seafoam in crankcase? Would anything be good in the crankcase to remove unwanted materials not disposed of by just pulling the drain plug?

Good questions.

The Motorcraft is simply a higher quality filter available for the same (possibly lower) price. We can get into other features such as the threaded-end bypass, but that's really a discussion for another day.

Frams are OK, but as Ramblejam says, the Motorcraft filters for your vehicles, the FL820S and FL400S seem to be outstanding filters for the money. Both have a silicone ADBV, which is usually a feature of higher-priced filters.

_________________________
Experts are often wrong, but rarely in doubt.

This will sound stupid but I always like the coarse end of the fram oil filter. Makes it possible for me to change it with only grip strength, no tool needed. Dumb, I know. I'll change to motorcraft.

As for seafoam, I saw first hand what it can do when used as a fuel additive. I'm not saying it's magic in a bottle but from using in my ATV I notice better performance, carbon removal, cleaner throttle body, etc... I used in the fuel tank as well as adding directly to throttle body. After many applications there was a noticable difference. I also used seafoam deep creep directly in my ATV injector and it was quite amazing. I let it soak for about 30 mins upright with deep creep sprayed in the inlet and eventually all kinds of debris and [censored] came out. Injector was extremely clogged beforehand, now working like new. As for a crankcase additive, I'm not sure what it could be doing. I assumed sludge / debris removal, additional cleaning, etc... I wasn't sure so I wanted to check here.

Motorcraft filter is a go but not sure on oil. I'm gathering synthetic over conventional, high mileage product, and the 5w-30 weight but what about brand? Is this strictly a cost based thing or do some out perform others? If performance was indicated by cost Mobil 1 would be the clear leader...

I have almost identical vehicles to you (check my sig line), and have put almost all the miles shown on them with standard Mobil 1 5w-20 and Motorcraft FL-400S filters. I'm running different oil & filter now just for the heck of it and they were on sale (hanging out on BITOG will do that to you). As previous posters said, Motorcraft filters are excellent quality for the price. I have two of them in my stash now for my next oil change, and plan to use them exclusively going forward. Search the oil filter section on this board for posts of cut open Fram and Motorcraft filters and you'll see why most folks lean toward MC over the Fram orange cans.

Also at your mileage, you could use a HM oil with no problem and it's likely it would help a little with consumption. The Mobil 1 HM oil is usually the same price as standard M1 and has a stouter add pack. Since you don't drive much and don't have a preference syn versus dino, you may consider Pennzoil High Mileage Vehicle. Pennzoil has a great rep on this board and is known for excellent detergency. http://www.pennzoil.com/motor-oil/pennzoil-high-mileage-vehicle/

I'd also stay away from the Seafoam in the crankcase. Virtually all modern name brand oils are very good and will not benefit from additives.

This will sound stupid but I always like the coarse end of the fram oil filter. Makes it possible for me to change it with only grip strength, no tool needed. Dumb, I know. I'll change to motorcraft.

Not dumb at all, Chris -- I've actually heard the same thing from many people. As Stelth mentioned, you need the FL-820S and FL-400S models, both of which are available from Walmart.

Originally Posted By: wckelly

As for seafoam, I saw first hand what it can do when used as a fuel additive. I'm not saying it's magic in a bottle but from using in my ATV I notice better performance, carbon removal, cleaner throttle body, etc... I used in the fuel tank as well as adding directly to throttle body. After many applications there was a noticable difference. I also used seafoam deep creep directly in my ATV injector and it was quite amazing. I let it soak for about 30 mins upright with deep creep sprayed in the inlet and eventually all kinds of debris and [censored] came out. Injector was extremely clogged beforehand, now working like new. As for a crankcase additive, I'm not sure what it could be doing. I assumed sludge / debris removal, additional cleaning, etc... I wasn't sure so I wanted to check here.

For cleaning, I'd recommend a couple of things: A PEA based fuel system cleaner (Gumout Regane, Chevron Techron, or Redline SI-1), and throttle body spray (I just used the CRC product yesterday, and it did a great job).

Originally Posted By: wckelly

Motorcraft filter is a go but not sure on oil. I'm gathering synthetic over conventional, high mileage product, and the 5w-30 weight but what about brand? Is this strictly a cost based thing or do some out perform others? If performance was indicated by cost Mobil 1 would be the clear leader...

Both of your vehicles actually call for 5w-20. Mobil 1 High Mileage 5w-20 has worked wonderfully for me in a high mileage 2003 F-150, and is available for $25/5 quarts @ Walmart. On cleaning properties alone, I prefer Mobil 1 to conventional products, but that's a decision you'll have to make. At the Walmart price point though, it's a very attractive alternative.

As well, I'll make an addendum here and mention my use of TC-W3 in the F-150 (1oz/5gal). No mileage improvement noted (my driving isn't nearly consistent enough to measure accurately), but it's very quiet & smooth.

Valvoline Maxlife, Quakerstate Defy,or Pennzoil High mileage for both with Motorcraft filters.If you dont mind spending a little extra Mobil 1 High Mileage is a great oil. Purolater Pureone, Bosch Premium, Wix and Napa Gold are all very high quality filters as well but the Motorcraft (made by Purolator) is the best bang for the buck.stay away from putting restore, seafoam or any flush in the crankcase. If you want to use an additive for cleaning Marvel Mystery oil is safe but honestly not needed here.

Valvoline Maxlife, Quakerstate Defy,or Pennzoil High mileage for both with Motorcraft filters.If you dont mind spending a little extra Mobil 1 High Mileage is a great oil. Purolater Pureone, Bosch Premium, Wix and Napa Gold are all very high quality filters as well but the Motorcraft (made by Purolator) is the best bang for the buck.stay away from putting restore, seafoam or any flush in the crankcase. If you want to use an additive for cleaning Marvel Mystery oil is safe but honestly not needed here.

Seafoam isn't any stronger than mmo is so why is mmo alright but not seafoam. I've used both products,among others added to the crankcase for entire oil change intervals and I've never had any problems or oil burning or oil leaking after using any of them. Heck I've used seafoam in an early 90s Chrysler minivan with over 300k on the odo and I couldn't see the valve springs under the oil cap there was so much mud. And it was consuming oil at well in excess of a quart every 500 kms. A can of sea foam in the oil,a can through a vacuum line at half a can per day then drove my regular commute. Did a can of sea foam twice with short oil change intervals and within a few weeks oil consumption ceased and I could see the valve springs again. That van was a tool hauler for one of our trim crews. It lasted 2 more years after that before it got sideswiped by some jerk that ran while it was parked at our shop and insurance totalled it. Seafoam is harmless when used as directed. Heck I've used it at concentrations well in excess of the directions,same with mmo and no harm done,in fact there was an improvement. These products have been around since vehicles have been,so if they didn't work or were somehow harmful I'm pretty sure the lawsuits would have put them out of business. Additive fear amuses me. Post on.

I have used seafoam in the gas and ran it down a vacuum line. It works great. But it is a solvent and a pretty dang strong one at that. I have mixed it with oil in bottles and found that a little bit thins the oil down alot! MMO is a light oil, not a solvent. I have used it alot and found it doesn't thin oil nearly as much as solvents like seafoam and B12. So I like to use it in everything except motor oil. But thats just my personal preference, if it works for you then go for it.